The winner of Saturday's game between the University of Minnesota and Wisconsin earns a spot in the Big Ten championship game Saturday, December 7 against Ohio State, gets the Axe traveling trophy, and takes the lead in the overall head-to-head series.

The victor also keeps their hopes alive for a shot at the national championship and has some big bragging rights in this border battle. It's senior day for the Gophers as well.

Saturday is also the first time that ESPN has brought its "College GameDay" program to Minneapolis. The show starts at 8 am but gates to the set open at 5 am. Parking lots around TCF Bank Stadium open at 6 am. The game kicks off at 2:30 pm. News-Talk 1340 KROC-AM and 96.9 FM begins coverage with pregame at 12:30 pm. The game is officially a sellout.

Minnesota won at Camp Randall in Madison last year 37-15 to reclaim Paul Bunyan's Axe and even the overall series at 60-60-8. The series is the longest-running uninterrupted rivalry in Division I football, according to the university's website. The Axe has made at least two trips to Owatonna since then and has been a big symbol for Gopher fans.

Minnesota is averaging nearly 36 points per game. The Gophers have a pair receivers with over 1,000 yards on the season with Tyler Johnson and Rashod Bateman. The Gophers also feature a 1,000-yard rusher with Rodney Smith.

The Gophers are 13th ranked in the latest AP poll and are eighth in the most recent College Football Playoff rankings. Get pumped for the game with this great hype video.

If you are going to the game, be prepared for wintry weather as the forecast indicates a chance of rain mixed with snow and windy conditions for Saturday, November 30.

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